Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 9, 1 September 1986 — Ends 30-Year Air Force Career in 1987 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ends 30-Year Air Force Career in 1987

Hawaiian Chief Master Sgt. is One of Only 28 Women

"I'll be ready for a second career one year from now. I don't know now what that will be but I have some ideas." This is U. S. AirForceChiefMaster Sergeant Yvonne Piilani Kaawaloa talking. She is the only native Hawaiian woman on active duty today to hold this highest enlisted rank, one of only 28 women in the entire Air Force with that grade, an accomplishment certainly unique. Kaawaloa, second youngest of four boys and three girls of Austin and Florence Kaawaloa of Mikilua Valley, is executive to Lt. Col. James G. Sampson, director of personnel for the 15th Air Base Wing at Hiekam Air Force Base.

It is her first assignment to Hiekam after five tries. "I'll have 30 years with the Air Force in October, 1987, and I'll be retiring right here at home," Kaawaloa said in a recent interview with Ka Wai Ola O OHA. She explained that one of her first ideas is to get a master's degree in management and human resources from Oklahoma State University in mueh the same fashion she earned her bachelor of science degree in oeeupahona! education through extension study with Southern Illinois University. OSU has contract with the Air Force similar to that of Southern Illinois.

Kaawaloa said she would put her master's on hold if a good position opened up. But it would have to be real good, she emphasized. "I'm versatile and flexible. Nothing is cut and dry with me," the chief declared. Kaawaloa, who won't even be age 50 when she gets out, was one of 18 girls and 60 boys from Hawaii who entered the Air Force together in October, 1957. They took an "Aloha Flight" to Travis AFB and then to the San Antonio and Lackland bases in Texas for basic training. She chose the personnel field over medical because "I can't stand blood." Little did she realize then that she had set her career. She has no regrets. Kaawaloa reports that of the 18 girls who left that October day in 1957, she was the only one who stayed

on to make the Air Force her career. "I've heard reports most of them got married and now they have their own families," the chief said. Romance blossomed in her own life during her 20s but she eame to the point where she had to make a decision of getting out of the service and being a housewife

or staying in to make it a career. She chose the latter and aqain she doesn't reqret the move.

That she is a stickler for education is evidenced by her college degree and the pursuit of a master's. She'd like to see her fellow Hawaiians or any minority ethnic group for that matter get an education. Kaawaloa would also be a solid role model for an Air Force recruitment program. "The Air Force teaches independence, discipline, self-respect and enables you to travel to all parts of the world," she said. Medical, dental, insurance and housing are among other amenities.

She said she was hardly alone or lonely. "I've met and befriended many interesting people. I've always had a Hawaiian family no matter where I went," she reported. Her Air Force hitch has taken her to a number of mainland bases, Okinawa, the Philippines and Korea. Kaawaloa's loeal education included attendance at Kalihi-Waena Elementary School in Kalihi andNanaikapono Elementary in Nanakuli. She graduated from The Kamehameha Schools where three of her brothers were also educated.

When she made the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in 1982, she was one of only seven women at the time. Twenty-one other women, none of them Hawaiians, have swelled this total to 28 today. Kaawaloa is also a graduate of both the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy where she was recipient of the commandant's award, and the Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy. Additionally, she completed 21 Air Force subcourses via correspondenee.

She admits to being slightly homesick during her ear!y years "but the love of my family and their support pulled me through." The chief is home to stay now and will get involved with Hawaiian matters and is wi!ling to help her fellow Hawaiians only should the need arise— Kenny Haina

Hamahamau ka leo o ka Waikoloa. Hush the uoiee of the Waikoloa wind..—Mary Kawena Pukui.

Chief Master Sgt. Yvonne Piilani Kaawaloa shows the stripes of her rank whieh are inscribed on a plaque with her name and the saying, "It Ain't Easy."